Jimi Hendrix Performs One Final Concert After His Death
It was just revealed by the Hendrix estate, that despite the well publicized report that Jimi Hendrix died on September 18, 1970, he actually died one day earlier, but due to contractual obligations and being the ultimate showman, Jimi performed one final concert after his death.
Jimi was set to play the Berzerker Open Air Festival in Germany on September 17, 1970. He was paid $100,000 in advance and the festival was expecting 500,000 attendees. Jimi woke up on the morning of September 17 and was surprised to learn that he had died in his sleep. The festival promoters threatened a major lawsuit unless Jimi appeared, so management convinced Jimi to agree to suck it up and perform at the festival.
Jimi managed to keep it together and put on one hell of a show at the festival. Despite storms and bikers beating the audience members, the clouds parted and everyone sat down in peace when Jimi took the stage. Jimi performed for over an hour and even played 3 encores. Hendrix pulled out all the stops, playing with his teeth, behind his back, setting his guitar on fire, simulating sex with his amp and smashing the instrument to shreds. And that was just during the first song. Many say it was Jimi’s best performance.
Concert goer, Wilhelm Klink, described it as a life changing event. “It was as if I was staring into the face of God. I could not comprehend what I was looking at. Of course, I had taken 5 hits of acid, so there was that. But I honestly have never seen a more amazing performance in my life. Well, Except when I saw “Strawberry Alarm Clock” in ’68. That was pretty cool too.”
After the show, Jimi flew back to London with girlfriend Monika Dannemann and attended a party at Eric Burdon’s flat. They smoked Hashish and had tea and scones on the morning of September 18, 1970. Jimi was then pronounced dead at 12:45pm. A Fu*king legend! Remember this story when you sissies cancel concerts for sore throats or exhaustion.
